When Satan Tempts You
We come across many temptations in life and when we have heard from God or have read what God's standard is, we are to follow that. But then there are those times that we really aren't sure and we let someone come in and twist what we believe or what God has told us and they mislead us intentionally or unintentionally. Either of those ways is dangerous as you are responsible for your own decisions and the reasons behind why you made those decisions.
In Genesis 3, we have Adam and Eve in the garden with Eve being mislead by the serpent. Eve tells Adam that is it okay to eat from the tree that God instructed them to avoid. Eve disobeys from the serpents words and twisting of what God said and meant. Then Eve leads Adam to do the opposite of what God said buy following the serpent's words. That gets them both in trouble with God. What would have saved them? If Eve would stayed away from the tree. They could have been saved. If Eve could have ignored the serpent they could have been saved. If Adam could have redirected Eve, they could have been saved. Yet, we see they disobey God and force God's hand of punishment (Genesis 3:16-19). Makes you wonder what life would be like if we just obeyed God instead of allowing ourselves to be lied to and mislead.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
His Number is 666
Remember the red dragon that represents Satan from Chapter 12? Well, the dragon has an understudy so to speak. The understudy is to have ten horns, seven heads with physical characteristics like a leopard, lion and bear. This beast will worship the dragon (Revelation 13:1-3). The beast will also have authority for 42 months and will blaspheme (curse) God.
The second beast will have 2 horns and will speak like the dragon (Satan). It will have the same authority as the first beast and makes others worship the first beast. The "mark of the beast" will be obtained from this beast on the right hand or forehead. The beast's number is 666 (Revelation 13:11-18).
Once again, these are not literal beasts, but representations of evil. The number 666 could represent a false Christ (messiah) and also could represent a good man who turned evil, as it would be mocking Solomon who also made six hundred and sixty-six talents per year.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 12:1-6 reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of min last year. He said he didn't read the Bible because there were people eating dragons or dragons eating people. He didn't have a reference as to what chapter or book, but just that people said that it was in the Bible and so he didn't believe it. He was missing the context and he was missing the symbolism. the woman represents Israel, the dragon is Satan and the man-child is Jesus. Jesus, after being born, was going to be eaten (tempted) by Satan, but instead Jesus went to God's throne in Heaven (did what was honorable to God). After Israel (through history) gave "birth" to Jesus he did what God wanted and fulfilled what he was to do rather than what was tempting and earthly.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Continuity of Sin
What have you allowed in your life? What exists in your life that is okay based on what culture thinks? Is it okay with God? Is it God honoring? Look we all mess up and fall short and fail and sin. It's what happens because we are fallible and we are human. In 1 John 5:18 we have to understand (just like in previous books and verses) that once you are born of God (born again, seeking His will consistently) then that sin life that was apart of you can be no more. Let God in to that part of you that you are not willing to give up yet. When you have something big coming up, do you work and get anxious and doubt yourself? That is not of God and that is how Satan uses you and your circumstances to pull you away from God. Seek God's will in your life. Consult the Scriptures and let the Holy Spirit guide you.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Draw Near to God
No matter how strong of a believer you are, we all need reminders. These reminders come in various ways from different sources and are solidified by other reminders. We are reminded to draw near to God and know that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). We cannot be double minded and me must purify our hearts and minds. We do this by drawing near to God. Also, we need to resist the devil (James 4:7) and not make friends with the world as in James 4:4 (live according to what the world says is okay).
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Faith Without Works
James 2:19-20 exposes the view points of those who claim to be Christians/Christ Followers, but they lack evidence to prove their status. Just because you known that Jesus is God in the flesh doesn't make you more of a believer than others nor does it solidify your belief either. Even the demons know that Jesus is Lord (James 2:19). Once you know Jesus is Lord then how does that play into your life? What do you do with that? Sit on it? Tell others? Serve others because you are a good person or because you serve the Lord and serve others? basically,m just because you have faith, if you do nothing with it, then what is the point (James 2:20).
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
The Man of Lawlessness
While it is very tempting to use some of these verses to apply to some people who currently walk the earth and may be horrible representations of their country or of people, this section (verses 1-12) applies to the revealing of the antichrist. That is not a title to just throw around to people because you don't like what they stand for. It is deeper than that. You would need to read through Revelations to understand the coming if the antichrist and the destruction that will follow. One may say, "why does the antichrist have to come?" Well in verses 11-12 we read "Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." In other words, God allows for this to happen to really show the difference between believers in the almighty God and the faith of others that they have in false teachers and false prophets. Either get right....or get left.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
What is the Real Battle?
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul points out that we are not just battling flesh and blood. When it comes to self control, that isn't about just making better decisions. When it comes to dissension in the church, that is not just about "I have to be nicer because God wants me to be." Paul says that there is battle, spiritually, cosmically, against the authorities over present darkness. Paul says that there are "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." That means we are not just trying to be better people, but we are battling Satan. We are battling the one who bring evil into the church and creates problems. Paul then tells us to "armor up" by putting on the full armor of God. When we have this, it is no longer me vs Satan, but is me in God and God in me vs. Satan. There is a big difference between going to war and going to war with the proper equipment. Paul knew that too.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Examine Yourself
In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul tells the church in Corinth to examine and test themselves. He asks them if they know that Christ is in them. Paul also tells them if they test themselves they will know that Christ is in them, unless they are disqualified from the test. Disqualified? That was Paul's way of saying you cannot take a test to see if Christ is in you if you are worldly and not one with Christ. So ask yourself today, am I one with Christ?
How does one then test themselves? One way is through reading the various parables and experiences of Jesus and apply the lessons of learned/taught whether they are temptation (the wilderness), faithfulness (mustard seed and power drained), forgiveness (prodigal son) or the young rich ruler (worldly thinking). If you aren't studying Christ's life and his words, then how will you know if you are one with Christ? How will you know if the Holy Spirit is leading you? Do you say things like "It's just the way I am and I won't change" even though that something you do is not of God? Read the scripture in the right context and be Spirit led.
Also, in reading through Ephesians 5:5-7 and also Romans 1:28-32 we see a lists, if you will, of what is not God honoring. Paul calls out the sexually immoral or impure and says that they have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. He also points out that those did not see fit to acknowledge God were given up by God to their own devices. Paul says there unrighteousness, evil, covetousness,
malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. It is one thing to slip up and make a bad decision. There is grace for that from God upon repentance. But, when you accept sin into your lifestyle, that is not of the Holy Spirit. That is not passing the test of Christ likeness. That sin acceptance disqualifies you from taking that test. Look at what loves is and what is in the fruit (evidence) of the spirit. When you are led by that which is of Christ there will be evidence, likewise the opposite.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Forgiveness, Grace, and Prayer
Wednesday's message was on turning worry into prayer. As stated previously, we worry about many things and try to figure out problems in our lives. There is nothing wrong with problem solving, but we have to remember to go to God too, first even, as we ask for guidance. But, what about that person who hurt you the most? That person who broke your heart. That person who did something so devastating that it occupies your thinking more often than it should. I ask you this, did you forgive them? You may say "They don't deserve forgiveness." That is not a thought of Christ, He would not say no one deserves forgiveness or grace. No one is saying you cannot feel hurt, but free yourself by graciously offering forgiveness knowing that God forgave you for your sins and that we are to forgive others their sins too (Matthew 6:14-15), whether they are sorry or not.
Have you ever heard that not forgiving is like drinking poison in hops to kill the other person? We are all imperfect. We have all done things that have done damage to others, ourselves and our relationship with God. That feeling of regret is needed in order to seek reconciliation of a relationship and to repent and not sin in that way again. Paul teaches us in Ephesians 4:32 that we should be kind to one another. He teaches that we should tenderhearted. He also says that we should forgive others as God in Christ forgave us. God forgave you and you never asked. God still forgave you. Your friends stole from you, broke your heart, and ruined the friendship. You have to forgive them. God commands it in Matthew 18:21-22. There was no limit to forgiveness, but continued forgiveness which give the allowance of grace.
One way that I heard Pastor Rick Warren say is a good way to learn to forgive is to pray for people. Yes, pray to God for Him to work in that person. It is VERY difficult to be mad at someone when you are praying for God to use them. In 2008 I was having an issue with a couple of people, two different situations. The relationships had faltered or were getting worse. My heart grew bitter and angry. I began praying for each of them. Initially, the prayers were quick. I made sure to do it during times I was not distracted. Eventually the prayers grew in length and strength. I also felt a change in myself where that bitterness was not there anymore. I was following what is found in James 5:16. We are not not only confess our sins to our brethren in Christ (I was doing that), but also pray for them so that we can be healed. Hanging on to bitterness breaks us and we need to heal from that. If you want to heal, forgive someone. Pray for them, consistently. When you start to get bitter at them, pray for them again. Know that Satan attacks all of us. Don't let Satan win.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Sufficient Grace
Paul continues discussing his short coming and his imperfections. He tells the Corinthian Christians about his experience in coming to Christ (but does not tell them it was him). In doing this he tells of this man's story and how it has inspired him, so to speak. Paul continues and says that he wanted his tormenting to be ceased and He asked God to take them away. Paul said God's response was that His grace was sufficient enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). We need to know that. We need to not focus on how "great" we think we are and give glory to God. I hear too much too often about who deserves what praise and who deserves what ridicule. If anything, we "deserve" ridicule for knowing the Lord and focusing back on ourselves and our greatness. Glory Be To God!
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
False Teachers and Humility
In verses 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul separates himself from teachers who claim to be the same as he is. He calls them false apostles, deceitful and they are disguising themselves. Paul is telling the church at Corinth to beware of these people and not assume that they are the same as Paul who may not be as good of a speaker, but possesses the knowledge. Paul is trying to save them from being led astray. He says that even Satan disguises himself so it would be obvious that his servants would disguise themselves too.
Lastly, Paul does not like to boast. He has been known to tell his stories of his experiences and he has been told that he is bragging and boasting. Paul says in verse 30 that if he were to boast it would be in his weaknesses. In those weaknesses it can be seen that God is the King of all and turn those weaknesses into strengths to honor his Kingdom. Amen.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Jesus Faces Temptation
When you read through Matthew 4:1-11, you get to see a time where Jesus experienced temptation in ways that we also experience it. Satan knows what your struggles are. He knows how to tempt you, that is why what you keep doing but have been trying to stop doing hasn't stopped yet. Satan knows when you are weak and vulnerable. Satan knows that when you are with the wrong group of friends, you will be lead away from doing God's will. Satan knows that when you are alone you can hide your sin from others, but you cannot hide it from God.
Jesus was in the wilderness fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. He was not doing this to lose weight and get that great summer body, it was his way to show honor to god. After that 40 days and 40 nights he was hungry. Satan tempted him to turn rock into bread so that he would not be hungry. Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 and said that man should not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus was tempted and went to scripture. Temptation does not come from God. He allows for it to happen so that we can be strengthened by it through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Satan also tried to tempt Jesus by telling him to throw himself down from the highest poin of the temple. Satan even manipulated scripture (as many still do today) in order to get Jesus to do what he wanted. Jesus again responded with scripture. Finally, Satan tempts Jesus that he can have all of the kingdoms of the world if Jesus worshipped Satan. Jesus again responds with scripture amd tells satan to get away and Satan finally leaves him.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we learn that there is not temptation that happens to us that is not common to man be it sex, money, drugs, lies, power, prestige, popularity and so on. God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can deal with. he will provide a way out because He is faithful. We must decide if we want to take that way out or not. No matter what you are tempted with, know that Jesus was tempted but He knew how to fight. Also know that others are tempted like you and will be tempted like you in the future. We don't have to fight alone. When tempted, call a Christian brother or sister. Go for a walk, but also pray to God. We have to know how to fight. Not on our own power, but with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Paul's Final Greetings and Warnings
Paul sends personal greeting in this last chapter in Romans. He tells the Roman church that there are numerous people coming and to greet them and details some of the people are that he is sending. It was customary to kiss people upon greeting them as part of the culture. In our culture we shake hands or hug. Sometimes we kiss on the cheek, but not always. When we do that, we can do that with holiness. Not just shake hands and not care about someone, but shake and care as God loved us. Hug with love as if it were from God (Romans 16:16).
Paul then warns the church, which is also applicable today. He warns us about those in the church who cause dissension and problems. People will cause division on the church and create obstacles for others. It can be hard to learn and learn properly for that matter if there are others who teaching the opposite of the doctrine that the church has taught. Paul knew that they did not serve the Lord, but they served themselves. Paul also tells us that the God of peace will crush Satan under His feet. So, while there are those who do wrong, God will win in the end (Romans 16:17-20).
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Living in a Box
I was driving home the other night and was thinking to myself about some of the patterns I have in my life. One of these patterns is living in a box. Not a literal box, but a figurative one. There are fears that I have that have been in control of decisions I made. I rationalized these decisions and utilized the boundaries I created in order to keep the "worst" from happening. There is nothing wrong with boundaries, but when the boundaries are outside of God's will, that's where the problem lies.
When we read 2 Timothy 1:7 we know that God did not give us a spirit of fear. God does not want us to live in fear, especially when we are doing things that glorify Him. There would be no need to be fearful when God tells you to do something to glorify the Kingdom. That fear can come from not thinking you are good enough to do it. Or that fear could come from thinking people won't like what you are doing. But, God can use imperfect people to get His message across (2 Samuel 11 and Matthew 1:6). And what we do for God isn't about how everyone will take it (Matthew 10:28). We are not people pleasers. We are servants to the will of God, our King.
Now, as I move forward in live I see that the box was supposed to be keeping me safe, but it was also keeping me from living life and living it abundantly in God's will (John 10:10). It kept me from doing what God wanted me to because I was not thinking how God wanted me to think. When I am in tune with Christ like thinking on God sized goals, I have no reason to fear. Maybe that fear was from Satan to keep me from being one with God, but we need not fear as we walk with God (Isaiah 41:10).
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Taking Ownership of Our Actions
We have to stop blaming God for where our life is. We have to stop blaming God for how we feel. And we have to stop blaming God for the things that happen to us after we make bad decisions. Ultimately we have to take ownership of our actions. Our actions can be a determining factor as to whether or not we are seeking to be aligned with God or just seeking to please ourselves.
I have had many conversations regarding God and what He would allow in our lives. Such questions circle around topics like why does God allow suffering or evil. The truth is, we live in a broken world full of broken people. It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God said in Genesis 2:15-17 that Adam and Eve could eat from any tree except for that tree for surely they would die. So what did Adam and Eve do? They did exactly what they were not supposed to. They were tempted by the serpent (we understand to be Satan or temptation) who in Genesis 3:1-7 questioned what God said and then debunked what God had already commanded.
Isn't that what Satan does to us now? We know what God says based on what is written in scripture. We understand what God says, but when tempted with whatever tempts us, we can fall when we stray away from obedience. We do not always choose to run away from temptation. When we give in to temptations the results can be immediately catastrophic or eventually. I am not writing these things to scare people into obedience but to illustrate how when we do the opposite of what God commands, we fall right into Satan's trap and we are now further away from God.
Remember King David and Bathsheba and how their affair lead to a child out of wedlock and she was married to someone else? In order for David and Bathsheba to try to hide their shame (just like Adam and Eve wearing loincloths after eating the fruit), David tried to have Bathsheba's husband sleep with his wife (had him come home from war early), but Uriah was too drunk and did not so then David set Uriah up to be killed. Do you see how David and Bathsheba's infidelity and disobeying God went from something small and in a worldly sense very "innocent" lead to her husband's death? Even though David eventually married Bathsheba, God was still not happy with what David had done (2nd Samuel 11:27).
Look at is this way, when you do what God says and you are obedient, it doesn't make life perfect, but His will protects us from Satan's temptations and our own selfishness. In Proverbs 14:12 we see how a way that a man/person sees is the right way to them ends up being the track to death (not necessarily physical death- but even spiritual).
When we are tempted to go against God's will, we can either flee from the temptation which leads to only momentary satisfaction or we can seek God's will for our lives on a moment by moment and daily basis which leads to a closer connection to Him. We are not perfect, but God's will for our lives is.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE THIS VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS.
